All posts tagged paranormal

Paranormal Huntress (shh don’t tell anyone!)

As you know, I am mildly obsessed with all things supernatural - they make up a huge chunk of my reading and watching time. Something struck me whilst watching Supernatural (I’m on series 5 watching the box set – do NOT tell me if they save the world or not :-) ) and reading Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (a YA book about a girl who tracks paranormal for a mysterious organisation) – why can’t I be a kick-ass paranormal hunter / tracker / killer / slayer?!!

So I decided to make a pro / con list for such a job (if only it really existed!):

Reasons for making this job change:

  • I could wear some really cool fighting gear like leather trousers or a long, red wig.
  • No-one would mess with me paranormal or human so I could pretty much get people to do what I wanted
  • I would be saving the world everyday and surely that would make you feel pretty good!
  • I would be bound to fall in love with a dark, mysterious, sexy guy
  • I would carry really cool gadgets (see Evie in Paranormalcy – a pink taser)
  • I would have excellent transport be it a flash sports car, teleporter or some supernatural assistance meaning I could get places fast and look cool whilst doing it
  • There would probably be books / TV shows / films produced based on my life story.

Reasons against:

  • There would be a lot of danger and potential to be killed in a variety of gross ways e.g. blood draining
  • The sexy guy I fall in love with is likely to be supernatural and therefore, potential to hurt or kill me or run off with a gorgeous faerie instead
  • I’d have to keep my job secret so I would probably have to leave friends and family so they wouldn’t find out or get hurt themselves
  • I’m not sure if you actually get paid. The Supernatural boys don’t and I don’t think Buffy did either. Kind of limits the cool clothes / car / hair situation
  • The film / TV show / book based on me will include me being played by a gorgeous Hollywood actress and will likely make me feel very inferior / fat / ugly
  • I’ve never actually been in a fight before :-)

Do you have job fantasies?

Vix x

22 Comments
by Victoria-writes on March 2, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Musings, TV, Work
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Posted by Victoria-writes on March 2, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/03/02/paranormal-huntress-shh-dont-tell-anyone/

Raised by Wolves review

Raised by Wolves is a fascinating story of a 15 year old girl called Bryn who was taken in by werewolves after her parents were attacked when she was 4. Taught to run, fight and protect herself, she has become part of the wolf pack but has always kept her distance, trying to be her own person. When she realises the pack are hiding something from her, she is determined to discover the truth even of that means letting them in.

I loved the voice of Bryn in this book – strong, sassy, feisty and a survivor, she was a great character and not a typical girl in a supernatural novel – sh was tough. The world of the werewolf pack was actually realistic with how they interact close to real animals and you could tell the author has studied animal behaviour as it was so detailed, you felt you were part of them. You really got into Bryn’s head and were desperate for her to get to the truth.

This book was packed full of action with mystery and romance thrown in but mainly it was about loyalty, friendship and being your own person. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me glued to the page and drew me in to Bryn’s world.

If you enjoy supernatural books, make this a must read. You won’t regret it! The best werewolf book I’ve read so far.

Rating: 5 / 5

3 Comments
by Victoria-writes on January 30, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Reviews
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Posted by Victoria-writes on January 30, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/01/30/raised-by-wolves-review/

The Intrigue of Immortality

As you can tell from reading my blog, I love all things supernatural and have an at times unhealthy love of vampire related things (meaning books, films, not fake fangs or something!) and when you deal with vamps you deal with immortality.

Extract from Emily Dickenson’s Because I Could Not Stop For Death:

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality

(from Penguin’s Poems for Life)

Part of the seductive allure of vampires is their eternal life because everyone is so uncertain of death, some even fear it but immortality allows you to live endlessly, to reinvent your life how you want, to gain immeasurable skills and intellect. And of course if you’re in a paranormal romance, get to spend eternity with your dark and mysterious eternal love.

Thinking about immortality in reality is different. Is it really that seductive? The first consequence is saying goodbye to your loved ones – you will outlive everyone you know and have to roam from place to place every few years to keep your secret. That makes feeling lonely sometimes seem really insignificant.  

If you do have someone to share that eternal life, it becomes easier to imagine. You could roam together, never getting old. To me, though all the allure fades when you think about not having children together,  hiding your true existence from the rest of the world, relying on each other for everything - imagine how many arguments you could have in eternity!

The intrigue though remains despite all the down sides. Perhaps because we know it is unattainable and not much in our lives is anymore -we have science, medicine, we all live longer than ever yet that tantalising notion of eternal life dangles out of reach. If it was attainable, we might all reconsider.

Given the choice, I don’t think I could choose immortality. Could you?

Immortality – a fate worse than death.
Edgar A. Shoaff

4 Comments
by Victoria-writes on January 19, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Musings
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Posted by Victoria-writes on January 19, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/01/19/the-intrigue-of-immortality/

Breaking Dawn film countdown

 

Wow, I had to post that! Soooo excited about Breaking Dawn and this photo confirms it will be as romantic and steamy as the book! Yay!

Book Quotes:

I’ve been waiting a century to marry you, Miss Swan. (Edward)

Sometimes it was so easy to forget that I was kissing a vampire. (Bella)

Fire and ice, somehow existing together without destroying each other. More proof that I belonged with him. (Bella)

Why am I covered in feathers? (Bella)

Now it’s your turn to not break me. (Edward)

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by Victoria-writes on January 18, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Films, Reviews
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Posted by Victoria-writes on January 18, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/01/18/breaking-dawn-film-countdown/

Do I write what I read?

I really enjoy reading young adult novels and the recent spate of paranormal themed tales inspired me in my own writing. So much so I completed a YA fantasy novel last year. The problem was that no agent wanted to snap it up.

Now I am wondering whether to start the second YA fantasy I have plotting around in my head, just for fun or to try and get that published too. And it’s got me thinking about what I enjoy about young adult novels and if just because you love reading them you should write them too. Maybe by enjoying them so much myself some of my favourites seep into my own writing and prevent it becomming a huge hit like HP  or Twilight (hell, we can dream right?!)

I can list the elements that seem to be key to a good young adult fantasy, such as a good character we can root for, a mysterious boy we fall in love with, a love triangle maybe or some obstacle to that boy getting with the girl, secret supernatural abilities, a supernatural underworld, and then a key action scene, the resolve of the love struggle, good wins over bad and love conquers all = a happy ending!

And if I’m honest they were all present in my own attempt at a novel but do I continue with this pattern or try and break out with something new?Do I write a book I’d enjoy reading or will that always hold me back? Can I be original in a genre I read so often? Or does being passionate about YA actually stand me in good stead to be a successful writer in it?

I’m probably over-analysing the whole thing and should put pen to paper with the plot that has popped in my head and trust that doing what I enjoy will in the end pay off, either in a life-long hobby that my grand kids may love or career someday where one of my books might stand up next to the authors who have inspired my book writing dreams.

To inspire any wannabe writer ….

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by Victoria-writes on January 13, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Musings, Personal
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Posted by Victoria-writes on January 13, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/01/13/do-i-write-what-i-read/

YA films I can’t wait for….

A wealth of films from my fave YA books are on their way and I am really looking forward to seeing them. Twilight has shown that you can really ace an adaptation so I’m hopeful that these will also stick to the source material and not disappoint.

1. Fallen by Lauren Kate

This bewitching story of a girl forced to live countless lives each time tragically dying when she kisses her immortal love Daniel is just right for the big screen – a dark gothic romance with lots of actions and gorgeous angels. The film is being made by Disney, which I’m hoping won’t tone down the romance or action too much.

2. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Currently in development, rumour persist that British actress Kaya  Scodelario will take the lead role of Katniss. The book set in a dystopian future where kids have to compete in the reality TV show hunger Games to the death should produce an epic film. There’s a lot of horror and death in the books so I’m not sure how they’ll produce on film and keep a teen friendly certificate but I can’t wait to meet Peeta on screen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaya_Scodelario

3. Shiver – Maggie Stiefvater

This emotional romance about a girl who falls in love with  boy who turns into a wolf seems to be a tricky one to film as it’s written from Grace and Sam’s POV and deals with their feelings more than action. They really need to get the two leads right as they need to carry the movie. The author has suggested Alex from Artic Monkeys fits the look of Sam.

4. The Mortal Instruments

This adaption is speeding ahead with the script written, director and lead chosen. The trilogy following Clary discovering a world of Shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves and warlocks is a dense fantasy, which I hope they can portray accurately on screen. Clary has been chosen as Lily Collins, not someone I know much about but she seems to fit the small redhead character well enough, see photo below:

5. and finally…..

Twilight: breaking Dawn

Harry Potter & Deathly Hallow Part 2

Enough said.

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html

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by Victoria-writes on January 8, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Films, My fave things, Reviews
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Posted by Victoria-writes on January 8, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/01/08/ya-films-i-cant-wait-for/

Review: Finding Sky

Finding Sky – Joss Stirling

Okay I admit it, I loved this one!

Sky Bright is an adopted teenager who moves with her parents from England to a ski resort in America where she is drawn to gorgeous bad boy Zed, one of seven infamous brothers. Sky is sure he’s just like the rumours say he is but as they are thrown together she realises the truth may be just the opposite.

This novel is about soulmates and the romance is slow and beautiful. It takes Sky a long time to catch on to her true love, taking a visit back to her troubled past and embracing ideas that she can’t believe are true but you sympathise with her anyway and will her to the happy ending.

This story was original and gripping and it was great to see some new supernatural ideas. This is definitely one to read curled up in bed and will leave you dreaming about finding your one true love.

Score: 4.5 out 5

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by Victoria-writes on January 6, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Reviews
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Posted by Victoria-writes on January 6, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/01/06/review-finding-sky/

YA book review

Dark heart forever – Lee Monroe

Jane Jonas keeps dreaming about Luca, a mysterious soul mate figure who slips into her real world at the same time as a new boy Evan moves into town. Janes becomes entangled with both and is drawn into a secret supernatural world.

What I liked about this book was it’s easiness to get into. I was thrust immeadiately into the story, slipping instantly into the first person POV of Jane. The setting amplified the story – a lonely town on a hill set in England and the weaving of dreams into reality gave an original twist.

The characters in the novel are well drawn and easy to like. Jane’s spirited little sister and the gorgeous Luca are highlights. The story is a slow build of mystery and romance and Jane is a solid heroine, albeit indecisive and reclusive but hey aren’t they all?!! It’s pretty tame in the sex, violence, swearing area so suitable for younger teens.

Overall I was gripped to the end and the twist although expected was well done and the ending paves a way for a sequel, of course so I’m hopeful this will be a strong series.

Score: 4 out of 5

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by Victoria-writes on January 6, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Reviews
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Posted by Victoria-writes on January 6, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/01/06/ya-book-review/

Young adult book faves by a non-young adult

 As we come to the end of 2010 I thought I would review all the young adult books I’ve read and list my favourites here:

1. Vampire academy: Last Sacifice

I heart this series and this was a fitting end to Rose’s story. She ended up with who she was supposed to and it left it open enough for the spin-off series coming soon. A must read!

2. The Hunger Games trilogy

I came late to this one but i really enjoyed it. The first book is my favourite and the concept is well thought out. Exciting and thought provoking. Can’t wait for the film!

3. Mortal Instruments

I’ve read the first two and am waiting for the next in the post. It took me a while to get into but the story of Jace and Clary drew me in and i’m looking forward to finding out how that all ends.

4. The House of Night Series: Tempted

I really like this series, this wasn’t the best one as it felt like filler and i liked it best when they were at the school. i’ll keep on reading though to see where it all goes.

5. The Immortals: Dark flame

I went off the series slightly with book 3 which was complicated but they’ve sucked me back in with this one. I really enjoyed it, lots of action and heartbreak and another great cliffhanger. Roll on the next.

2 Comments
by Victoria-writes on December 21, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, My fave things, Reviews
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Posted by Victoria-writes on December 21, 2010

http://victoria-writes.com/2010/12/21/25/

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